The Chequers

Large Nicolsons pub hidden down an alley off main drag. Lots of dark wood with nothing to distinguish it from other standard members of the chain. Saying that the place is quite nice, service good and a good range of real ales at a reasonable price.

Got the bangers and mash, was excellent. Cooked perfectly. Nice atmosphere.

Cool place to hang, beers are reasonably priced, usually under 3 pounds for a pint. There is music that is not too loud, depending on the night and time. Last time I was there I had to stand outside in the alley because all the seats were gone.

Neat pub indeed with an up-​market feel. Need to spend some more time there to get a better feel for it, but I spent time outside and inside and really enjoyed it.
Food was ok, beer was good. I’ll be back.

All I can remember about this place is how unbelievably good their French Connections were– which therefore explains my fuzzy memory about this place I guess!!! Other than that, it came across as a high-​end pub. Had a nice feel to it, friendly, and had some nice spots to sit down, catch up with friends and enjoy your drink (s).
Location is great too since it is on High Street– perfect for meeting up after some city centre shopping.

The gist: traditional (ish) pub hidden down an alleyway.
The good:
— Pub grub and lots of it
— Lots of English food (pubs are one of the few places you can still eat English food out)
— All the drinks you’d expect
— Dogs are allowed, so you get that warm and fuzzy feeling of a dog curling up at your feet
— Quite an ‘adult’ pub — not in the 18+ censored, kinky sense, but in a mature and chilled out sense.
— Outside seating in summer
— Hidden away, so you can feel smug for going there and escape the crowds.
The bad:
— They sometimes have a regulated dress code. In a pub. Not on.
— Some nights there’s loud music; others it’s quiet. No way of knowing which until you get there, as far as I can tell.
— Scary alleyway location.
The conclusion:
— Pretty good for a central Oxford pubs, but definitely not the best. Still a few kinks that need to be ironed out.

the Chequers pub is a just off the High Street in Oxford, down a old cobbled street. It is not a pub that you would stumble across, which is a shame as it is a great pub with great food. It has the feel of an old world pub, no loud music, no gold chained gelled youths. It is strikingly large inside, spanning 2 and a half floors with a massive typical pub menu, including some classics lesser seen these days such as a Ploughmans lunch.
But now that you know of it… go out and try it